London, United Kingdom | September 8, 2025
Manchester City and the Premier League have reached an agreement to end their long-running dispute over sponsorship rules, easing tensions that have cast a shadow over the English champions in recent years.
The row centered on regulations governing related-party sponsorship deals, which critics argued gave City an unfair financial advantage due to its links with companies connected to its Abu Dhabi ownership. City had challenged the rules, claiming they were discriminatory and placed the club at a commercial disadvantage compared to rivals.
After months of negotiations, both parties confirmed on Monday that a settlement had been reached, with the Premier League announcing “revised commercial regulations” that will apply to all clubs. The changes reportedly introduce stricter transparency standards while allowing greater flexibility in sponsorship agreements, provided they meet fair market value assessments.
In a joint statement, Manchester City and the Premier League said the resolution was “in the best interest of English football” and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the integrity and competitiveness of the league.
The agreement is expected to ease ongoing legal pressure on the Premier League, which has faced criticism for inconsistencies in enforcing financial rules, while giving City clarity as it continues to expand its global commercial partnerships.
